Shaun Cody mixes humor and consistency for Texans

The mere mention of his name prompts Shaun Cody’s teammates to start cackling. He’s the Texans’ comic relief, and the nose tackle acknowledges he’s the class clown, the locker room cut-up tasked with keeping things loose.

But DeMeco Ryans insists Cody is so much more. Ryans, along with his fellow co-captain Brian Cushing, said the inside linebackers wouldn’t be as effective as they’ve been this season if not for Cody, for whom statistics fail to illustrate his proper value in Wade Phillips’ 3-4 scheme.

“You don’t get a lot of shine at that position, but he’s getting a lot from his little TV show,” Ryans said.

That would be “On The Nose,” or #OTN, as it’s known in the Twitter-verse. It can be viewed on the Texans’ Web site. Cody is the host, all at once affable, charming and campy, and each week’s show – usually five minutes or so – features a teammate.

According to Cody, the idea was to expose aspects of professional football he found humorous, to be “silly and informative at the same time.”

Defensive end J.J. Watt appeared on the first show, basically unsure of whether or not it was some form of elaborate rookie hazing.

But now?

“He’s going national,” Watt said. “I hope to be on it again, but I don’t know if I was good enough to be asked back.”

The show has gained traction – defensive end Antonio Smith, who was the focus of one of the most bizarre yet entertaining episodes earlier this season, an episode in which Smith’s fascination with ninjas is explored, refers to Cody as “Mr. Hollywood.”

Linebacker Connor Barwin, who contributed cameos prior to seizing a starring role in recent episodes, said when he went home to Cincinnati last weekend for Christmas, no one wanted to talk about the Texans reaching the playoffs. All anyone could talk about was “On the Nose.”

It’s a fascinating dichotomy, someone so light-hearted off the field – win or lose, Cody beelines for his infant daughter immediately following home games at Reliant Stadium and plants a kiss on her forehead – yet so focused on it.

“Shaun Cody is Mr. Dependable, a.k.a. Mr. Technique,” Smith said. “He just does his job and does it to perfection, in my opinion.”

Added Ryans: “He’s a technician. Every play, he’s perfect. He’s making sure people are in their fits right, telling people, ‘Hey, I did my job,’ and we’re right behind him.”

And to think – there were some concerns that perhaps he wasn’t big enough – Cody is listed at 6-4 and 301 pounds – or even good enough to play nose tackle in Phillips’ defense. Fortunately, those were concerns voiced outside of the organization – Phillips assured Cody he’d be a fine fit.

But Cody understood.

“As a fan, when you hear 3-4, you always think a huge guy in the middle,” said Cody, who has 23 tackles and a sack. “From that perspective, it’s only fair to think, ‘Hey, we want a huge nose guard.’ I never took offense. I figured I’d prove to the fans what I can do.”

Added Ryans: “Most thought we needed a big nose like Casey Hampton or Vince Wilfork. They didn’t understand the scheme we were running. For the scheme we’re running, it doesn’t call for that. Cody is perfect for what we’re doing.”

It was a challenge, especially after spending the bulk of his career being an upfield rusher. Here, the aim was being stout and square against the run, and he’s been a success there – the Texans have allowed only Miami’s Daniel Thomas and Baltimore’s Ray Rice to surpass 100 yards and are fourth in the NFL against the run.

The class clown can play a little, too.

“I think he’s able to get away with the off-the-field stuff because he’s that consistent on the field,” Barwin said. “I think the coaches know every single day what they’re going to get from him – whether it’s practices or games. I think that’s true and people respect that.

“If you’re only trying to be the funny guy and you’re blowing coverages, the reaction would be, ‘You have to focus on your job more,’ but no one ever has to say that. He’s always ready, always where he needs to be when it comes to being on the field.”

Off the field, he has a wish list for his show. Naturally, Phillips, who has a sense of humor unfamiliar to most. Owner Bob McNair is next, followed by coach Gary Kubiak – who is also a fan – and general manager Rick Smith, who Cody said has agreed to co-star but seems to scurry whenever the nose tackle starts shooting.

“You never knew what was going to happen at the beginning of the year, but he’s done a good job with it and continued to grow,” Barwin said.

He was talking about “On The Nose,” of course. But it could have been a commentary just the same on how Cody has taken to his on-field role.